The temperatures are dropping in New Jersey as winter quickly approaches. It has been another week of news in Hudson County, and we’ve got all the headlines to get you caught up, as we do every week — from all around the internet. Among the local news: Losurdo Brothers in Hoboken is closing its doors after 50 years; HDSID’s Happy Holiday Market in Jersey City is returning for 2024; and Hudson Pride Center is set to open its second location in Union City. Keep reading for all the news in Hoboken + Jersey City for the week ending on December 8th, 2024.
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Among the Headlines (read on for the full stories + more):
- Newport Skates in Jersey City Opens for the 2024-25 Season
- Trós Greek Street Food, Formerly Plaka Souvlaki, Opens New Location in Jersey City
- Updates on Hoboken City Hall Ransomware Attack
- Jersey City Celebrates Colgate Clock’s 100th Year on the Hudson Waterfront
- Film Crews Spotted in Jersey City for Netflix Series, The Beast in Me
- Lindsey Hubbard from Bravo’s, Summer House, Visits Leo’s for Labor-Inducing Eggplant
- Jersey City Celebrates Colgate Clock’s 100th Year on the Hudson Waterfront
- Brooklyn-Based Thai Restaurant, Bay Rice + Noodle, Moves to Jersey City
- Hoboken Releases Safety Updates for Church Square Park
- Women’s Boutique, Habebe Couture, Opens in Jersey City
Annual Hoboken Holiday Market Returns for 2024
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The annual Hoboken Holiday Market took place on Saturday, December 7th, from 11AM to 5PM at the Damon Murray Community Gym at 605 Jackson Street. The market featured activities for kids including a holiday-themed bounce house from 12PM to 4PM as well as crafters, and vendors. For the first time this year, the market included food trucks and a beer garden. Click here for more.
HoHoHoboken Bar Crawl Event Returns for 2024
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HoHoHoboken, a bar crawl event organized by Hoboken bar owners, took place on Saturday, December 7th. This event has a similar premise to SantaCon, as it is a ticketed, pub-crawl-style event. Sixteen bars participated in HoHoHoboken including Wicked Wolf, Birch, Black Bear, Texas Arizona, Fat Taco, McSwiggans, and The Lola, among others. Click here for more.
After 50 Years, Losurdo Brothers in Hoboken is Closing on 12/8
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After 50 years, Losurdo Brothers, one of Hoboken’s longest-standing family-owned Italian delis in Hoboken, announced it is closing its doors on December 8th. The deli’s family members made a statement on Instagram about the closure in early November. Click here for more.
Hoboken Releases Safety Updates for Church Square Park
In response to recent random assaults around Hoboken, the city released more safety plans on December 3rd. Per Patch Hoboken, officials said the city hopes to install a camera security system at Church Square Park by the end of the month. The new cloud-based system will provide comprehensive coverage of the park which will be monitored by the Hoboken Police Department. Mayor Bhalla also announced that the council would vote on contracts for temporary and permanent lighting improvements to the park, including down-lit floodlights at the gazebo, basketball courts, and some entrances, through a partnership with PSE&G.
North Hudson Sewerage Authority to Close Parts of Newark Street Starting Monday, 12/9
A North Hudson Sewerage Authority (NHSA) project to repair and upgrade the combined sewer infrastructure at the intersection of Henderson Street and Observer Highway will require partial road closures, detours, and parking restrictions beginning Monday, December 9th. The project is expected to last approximately six weeks. Per a Nixle announcement, Newark Street/Observer Highway will be closed eastbound between Madison and Henderson Streets and westbound between Henderson and Grove Streets between the hours of 8AM and 8PM, Monday through Sunday. Daily updates on this, and other road closures in the City of Hoboken, can be found on the Hoboken OEM X page: @HobokenOEM. Weekly construction schedules along with the City’s interactive construction map, can be found online here.
Hudson County Secures $260,000 for Vision Zero Action Plan
The Hudson County government secured $260,000 from the Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) Grant Program to help implement the Vision Zero Action Plan. As per the Hudson County View, the county will utilize this award to further develop its Vision Zero Action Plan through supplemental planning activities, with the goal of reducing fatal traffic accidents to zero countywide. The supplemental planning activities will include bike network planning, bicycle and pedestrian counts, and ADA accessibility along local roads.
Jersey City Santa Claus Appears on Jimmy Fallon’s Holiday Season Spectacular
Joe Harkins of Jersey City made a special appearance as Santa Claus on Jimmy Fallon’s Holiday Season Spectacular. Per the Jersey City Times, the show directly followed the Christmas in Rockefeller Center tree lighting special on December 4th at 10PM on NBC and streamed the next day on Peacock. Just four months shy of his 92nd birthday, Joe joined headliners Dolly Parton, Cara Delevingne, Justin Timberlake, J. Meghan Trainor, J.B. Smoove, The Roots, “Weird Al’’ Yankovic, and others.
Non-Commercial Vehicles Qualify for Free 4-Hour Holiday Season Parking in Bayonne
The City of Bayonne will provide free four-hour parking for non-commercial vehicles at parking utility lots from Monday, December 2nd through January 1st, 2025. As per the Hudson County View, the four-hour program does not apply to commercial vehicles or to on-street parking meters so all commercial and non-commercial drivers must continue feeding the meters on the streets. The paid permit program for commercial vehicles that park overnight in the lots will remain in effect. However, on certain dates in the holiday season that will be announced, parking charges will not be enforced for the entire day.
Last Luxury Condominium is Sold at Hoboken’s Wonder Lofts
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The transformation of Hoboken’s historic Wonder Bread factory into a premier residential address has officially concluded with the sale of its final luxury condominium. Per Real Estate NJ, the development team, Prism Capital Partners, Parkwood Development, and Angelo Gordon, announced the closing of the last home on December 2nd, completing the full sell-out of the Wonder Lofts collection of 83 high-end residences.
Newport Skates in Jersey City Opens for the 2024-25 Season
Photo Credit: Newport Skates
Newport Skates, Jersey City’s outdoor ice skating rink, is officially open to locals for the 2024-2025 season. The rink operates seven days a week with varying hours, and is located at 95 River Drive. Click here for more.
TRÓS Greek Street Food Opens New Location in Jersey City
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Plaka Souvlaki, which locals may recognize from the 62 Newark Street location in Hoboken, has officially rebranded to Trós Greek Street Food and has opened a brand new location at 686 Bergen Avenue in Jersey City. Trós, which means “to eat” in Greek, (something we all love to do here in Hudson County) opened its doors on Thursday, December 5th in the McGinley Square neighborhood of Jersey City. Click here for more.
Film Crews Spotted in Jersey City for Netflix Series, The Beast in Me
Signage was seen in Jersey City earlier this month indicating that a new television series, TBIM, is filming near West Side Avenue. A savvy HG reader tipped that TBIM is an acronym for The Beast in Me, an original Netflix “mystery thriller series about an author who investigates her neighbor, the prime suspect in his wife’s disappearance,” per Netflix. It stars Claire Danes, Brittany Snow, and Matthew Rhys, and is filming in Northern New Jersey until February 2025, per the NJ Motion Picture & Television Commission. On December 3rd, film crews were again spotted in Jersey City, this time near Warren and Morgan Streets. Per HG readers, the set is taking over an entire parking lot in the area, across from The Lively Apartments. Click here for more.
Updates on Hoboken City Hall Ransomware Attack
The City of Hoboken was the victim of a ransomware attack in the early hours of Wednesday, November 27th, 2024, per a Nixle alert sent out by the City just after 10AM. Due to the cyber attack, Hoboken City Hall, located at 94 Washington Street, was closed on Wednesday, November 27th. A “ransomware gang” called 3AM has since taken responsibility for the attack. Per NJ.com, the group was based in Russia and it managed to obtain thousands of Social Security numbers from Hoboken City Hall, including those who applied for COVID-19 rental assistance. Click here for more.
Hudson Community Enterprises Launches Training Program for the Deaf + Hard of Hearing
Jersey City-based Hudson Community Enterprises has introduced a new initiative aimed at empowering Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals in the workplace. Per the Jersey City Times, the Floor Care Training Program is designed to provide comprehensive job training, personalized coaching, and access to advanced assistive technologies, helping participants build the skills they need to succeed in their careers.
HDSID’s Happy Holiday Market in Jersey City Returning for 2024
The Historic Downtown Special Improvement District (HDSID) Happy Holiday Market in Jersey City will take place on December 14th + 15th, as well as December 21st + 22nd, and will include 130+ local artists and makers to shop small, sweet and savory eats, festive photo opportunities, kid-friendly holiday activities, and more. This year’s market will be at two JC locations — the Grove Street PATH Plaza and The Ashford rooftop, located at 145 Newark Avenue. Click here for more.
Jersey City BOE + NJCU Sign Agreement for Visual and Performing Arts
The Jersey City Board of Education and New Jersey City University signed an academic articulation agreement to strengthen visual and performing arts. Per the Hudson County View, the district will lease the upper floors of the university’s Grossnickle Hall, for approximately $543,406 next year and about $1 million the following year, and have access to other NJCU facilities and equipment through this groundbreaking agreement. As part of the collaboration, NJCU will provide field trips, transportation, and financial incentives such as a 20 percent tuition discount for JCPS employees and their families.
Jersey City Celebrates Colgate Clock’s 100th Year on the Hudson Waterfront
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The Colgate Clock in Jersey City has remained a familiar face on the waterfront, even as high-rises have sprung up around it throughout the years. Per NJ.com, the City of Jersey City celebrated the Colgate Clock’s centennial on the Hudson River Walkway on December 2nd with an exhibit on the history of Colgate in Jersey City, as well as fun activities for kids provided by the Jersey City Landmarks Conservancy.
Brooklyn-Based Thai Restaurant, Bay Rice + Noodle, Moves to Jersey City
A Thai restaurant called Bay Rice + Noodle has relocated to Jersey City from Brooklyn and has officially opened its doors in Journal Square. Per Jersey Digs, the storefront is located at 382 Summit Avenue at the road’s intersection with Newkirk Street. Formerly home to Hunan House and across the street from Jersey City Municipal Court, the business had previously operated out of New York City’s Bay Ridge neighborhood.
Lindsey Hubbard from Bravo’s Summer House Visits Leo’s for Labor-Inducing Eggplant
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Lindsey Hubbard from Bravo reality television series Summer House recently shared on Instagram that she visited Leo’s Grandevous in Hoboken for its famous labor-inducing eggplant. Back in 2020, we asked Mile Square moms if there were any local foods that *maybe* helped induce labor. Click here for more.
Former Hoboken Fire Chief to Be Reinstated After Two Years of Paid Leave
In May 2021, the city of Hoboken removed Fire Chief Brian Crimmins from his role for reasons they didn’t make public, but paid his six-figure salary for more than two years while he remained on leave. Per Patch Hoboken, an administrative law judge has decided that he should get his role back, saying there wasn’t enough evidence to back up the city’s allegations against him. The City has 60 days to figure out how much missing pay to award and how to reinstate him. Currently, Anton Peskens is serving as the chief, a City spokesperson said.
Hudson Pride Center to Open Second Location in Union City
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Hudson Pride Center announced via Instagram the grand opening of its second location in Union City. The new ground-floor, storefront space is located at 4428 Bergenline Avenue and will bring essential services and safe spaces closer to northern Hudson residents. The grand opening will take place on December 16th with an open house from 12PM-7PM, and a ribbon cutting at 1PM. Click here for more.
Women’s Boutique, Habebe Couture, Opens in Jersey City
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Habebe Couture, a women’s boutique, announced its opening in Jersey City via Instagram on November 29th at 208 Washington Street. The boutique specializes in high-quality items but provides affordable prices, all with a glass of champagne for all customers. Habebe Couture features clothing, lingerie, jewelry, and bags.
Alfalfa Opens New Location in Princeton
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Alfalfa, a born-in-Hoboken salad spot, well-known for its salads, wraps, breakfast burritos, and homemade gluten-free doughnuts, announced on Instagram that it has expanded to a new location in Princeton, New Jersey. The grand opening took place on Friday, December 6th from 11AM-5PM at 140 Nassau Street. Alfalfa celebrated with discounts, goodie bags, and gifts for customers.
Liberty Humane Society to Open New Veterinary Clinic in Lyndhurst
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After nearly a year of operating out of a mobile surgical truck, Liberty Humane Society (LHS) announced it has found a new permanent home. LHS will soon have a brick-and-mortar veterinary clinic in Lyndhurst, NJ. Converting this building into a veterinary facility requires significant renovation and specialized equipment. For this reason, LHS is asking for help to cover costs so that it can start serving more pets. Click here to make a donation.
Mayor Fulop Announces Jersey City’s Lowest Homicide Rate in History
Mayor Steven Fulop and Public Safety officials announced data showing record-breaking decreases in homicides, shootings, and other major crime categories at the Public Safety Headquarters, 356 MLK Drive in Jersey City on December 5th. Per a City of Jersey City press release, Jersey City has achieved the lowest number of homicides in recorded history in 2024, with six to date and a homicide rate well below New York City and the national urban average.
New Mexican Restaurant, Urban Taqueria, to Open in Weehawken
Urban Taqueria, a new Mexican street food restaurant, is coming to Weehawken. The taco spot promises “antojitos,” which translates to “little cravings.” This refers to appetizers and small snacks like tacos, tamales, and more. Per Patch Hoboken, the storefront will be located at 3502 Park Avenue in Weehawken, just north of the Route 495 bridge that heads toward the Lincoln Tunnel. The owners have not shared when the restaurant will open but have posted on social media that it will be soon.
Hudson-Bergen Light Rail Awards $1.5 Billion Contract to New Operator
The Hudson-Bergen Light Rail system will have a new operator in 2025. As per Jersey Digs, the New Jersey Transit Board of Directors selected Puerto Rico-based ACI-Herzog JV and awarded them a $1.5 billion contract. The new contract calls for a 15-year base period with options for two five-year extensions. The current contract ends in 2025, and the transition will begin in the new year, with ACI-Herzog taking complete control by September 15th.
Hudson County Complete Streets Launches Campaign for PATH Service Improvements
Hudson County Complete Streets has begun an advocacy campaign for PATH improvements including remedying frequent off-peak service and a direct extension to Newark Airport. Per the Hudson County View, the public advocacy campaign is focused on providing public input to the Port Authority’s 2025 budget process before December 9th. The Action Network-based public campaign calling for overall better PATH service has already sent over 3,000 letters, setting an overall goal of 6,400. The Port Authority held budget hearings on Thursday, December 5th at 9AM at 2 Montgomery Street in Jersey City, as well as at 4 World Trade Center, in lower Manhattan on the same day at 7PM.
Hoboken BOE Launches Survey for New Five-Year Strategic Plan + Facility Upgrades
The Hoboken Board of Education launched a survey to gather feedback for a five-year strategic plan that includes facilities upgrades. Per the Hudson County View, the online survey is due on December 13th and asks for a tagline, vision, and mission statements, as well as evaluating district goals that include supporting students’ and teachers’ needs, implementing innovative programs, and maintaining safe facilities.
Hoboken Business Alliance Art Program Presents Three New Public Art Installations
The Hoboken Business Alliance (HBA), announced on December 5th, the installation of three new public art pieces in Hoboken. Per an HBA press release, the three installations located throughout the city, include “Hoboken,” a mural by Shantell Martin; “The Flourishing Hoboken Community YarnArt,” a fiber art installation by Carmen Community Artist; and “Charm Harbour,” a sculpture by CHIAOZZA. These new installations come to Hoboken following Hoboken Art Month, which the HBA organized in collaboration with the City of Hoboken.
Jersey City Receives Perfect Score for LGBTQ+ Equality for 12th Consecutive Year
The City of Jersey City received a perfect score for LGBTQ+ equality for the 12th year in a row from the 2024 Municipal Equality Index (MEI). Per the Hudson County View, the MEI evaluates cities on 49 criteria, spanning non-discrimination protections, municipal employment policies, city services, law enforcement practices, and public leadership on LGBTQ+ issues. In 2013, Jersey City became one of the first municipalities in New Jersey to issue marriage licenses and officiate ceremonies for same-sex couples.
Man Charged with Murder Following Death Investigation of Guttenberg Father + Son
After a father and son were found dead in Guttenberg last month, a man has been charged in connection with one of their deaths. Per Patch Hoboken, Lamont Cole, 40, of East Orange was arrested at the Hudson County Correctional Facility on December 3rd and charged with one count of murder. On November 23rd, shortly after 10PM, the Guttenberg Police Department was notified of two unresponsive men inside a home at 209 71st Street. The men were later identified as father and son, Justo Bory, 87, and Ricardo Bory, 58, who lived in Guttenberg. The post-mortem report for Justo revealed that the cause of death was compression of the neck, and the manner of death was homicide. The post-mortem report for Ricardo is pending.
Hoboken Council Rejects Ordinance Allowing Cannabis Stores Within 600 Feet of Schools
The Hoboken City Council voted down an ordinance that would’ve allowed cannabis dispensaries to open within 600 feet of schools at the meeting on December 4th. Per the Hudson County View, that provision was briefly allowed in the Mile Square City, but that changed after the governing body adopted “common sense” cannabis regulations in April 2022. With no one appointed to succeed late 6th Ward Councilwoman Jen Giattino, the vote failed 4-4. Jim Doyle, the Council Vice President who has presided over the meetings since Giattino’s passing, explained that since the ordinance was voted down on first reading, one related ordinance and one related resolution didn’t require a vote.
Hudson County Executive Guy + Congressman Menendez Announce $1 Million in Funding For “Clean Hudson” Initiative
Hudson County Executive Craig Guy and Congressman Rob Menendez (NJ-08) announced on December 3rd a $1 million grant from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Justice Government-to-Government (EJG2G) program to fund programs in building partnerships between local government groups and non-profits through environmental justice initiative “Clean Hudson.” Per a County of Hudson press release, Clean Hudson will empower residents by improving our local environment and providing resilient infrastructure and clean public spaces.
Hoboken Earns Perfect Rating on Human Rights Campaign for LGBTQ+ Equality
Mayor Ravi S. Bhalla announced on December 4th that the City of Hoboken has received a perfect score of 100 percent on the Human Rights Campaign’s (HRC) 2024 Municipal Equality Index (MEI). Per a City of Hoboken press release, Hoboken is one of only five municipalities in New Jersey to achieve the prestigious honor. Under Mayor Bhalla’s leadership, Hoboken has implemented several key initiatives to support and protect its LGBTQ+ community. These include creating an LGBTQ+ community liaison, mandating all single-occupancy restrooms to be gender-neutral, and signing an executive order preventing discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals and other minority groups by City contractors.
OrGovia: A New Chilean-Puerto Rican Fusion Restaurant in Hoboken
A new restaurant has been added to Hoboken’s extensive food scene. OrGovia is a Chilean-Puerto Rican fusion restaurant located at 1119 Jefferson Street. The culinary team's head chef combines ingredients from one part of the world with spices from another to create bold and unexpected flavors. This new spot is the only place where diners can find alcapurria bites and tostones waffle fries in Hoboken. Read on to learn more about OrGovia in Hoboken and its Caribbean-fusion menu items.
About OrGovia
OrGovia is located at 1119 Jefferson Street in Hoboken. Owner and Head Chef Jordan Ortiz shared with The Hoboken Girl that he is half Chilean and half Puerto Rican. The name ‘OrGovia’ is a blend of Ortiz, his father’s last name, and Segovia, his mother’s maiden name. Since his food creations are a fusion of his two cultures, the name OrGovia seemed fitting.
Jordan also shared that he always had a passion for cooking. After the pandemic in 2020, he decided to start cooking at pop-up events in Jersey City. He hosted ‘OrGovia Fridays’ at Blends Cafe and had pop-ups at Garden State of Mind. His innovative menu items gained popularity over the next few years and Jordan opened his first restaurant, OrGovia, on January 1st, 2025.
Read More: Pakistani-American Fusion Restaurant, Khokha, Opens in Jersey City
The Menu
OrGovia serves traditional Puerto Rican street food like alcapurria bites, which are fritters made from root vegetables and stuffed with savory chicken or ground beef, and mini empanadas filled with chicken, beef, or vegetables. These items are served with pebre, a Chilean salsa made with tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and garlic.
Also on the menu are the signature crispy chicken sandwich and the Banngin’ Burger, a double-smash cheeseburger topped with grilled onions, and secret sauce. These items are served with a choice of tostones waffle fries, made from green plantains, yuca (cassava) bites, or crinkle-cut french fries.
Other menu items include chicken tenders, hot dogs, and crispy mozzarella cakes. Jordan shared with HG that in the future he would like to expand the menu to include more traditional Puerto Rican dishes like pernil (roasted pork), pasteles (root vegetable patties), and mofongo (fried plantains mashed with garlic). His main goal at OrGovia is to “make hungry people happy.”
See More: Where to Get Mocktails in Essex County, New Jersey
Hours of Operation
OrGovia is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10AM to 8PM, Sunday 11AM to 5PM, and closed on Mondays. Follow OrGovia on Instagram for updates.
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